As expected it was a pretty tough day for punters on day one of the Ebor meeting, however we managed to bag two winners and finish the day five and a half points up, so a pleasing first day.
Day two looks tough as well but let's see if we can get at least another couple of winners today.
13:55 DBS Premier Yearling Stakes
A twenty runner six furlong dash isn't the easiest of starts but Tasleet is the clear pick on the ratings. He won a Listed race at Goodwood before coming second in the Qatar Richmond Stakes at the same course behind the excellent Shalaa. The fact that William Haggas has won this for the past two years shows he knows exactly what it takes and I am confident he will get us off to a flyer this afternoon.
14:30 Pinsent Masons Lowther Stakes
This Fillies Group 2 revolves around the Mark Johnston trained Lumiere. She had been reportedly flying at home before landing her maiden in wonderful style. She was unextended and eased down, still winning by six lengths and could be a potential superstar. She is clear favourite for next year's 1,000 Guineas and it will take something special to beat her.
15:05 Clipper Logistics Handicap
Being a three year old Western Reserve is right near the bottom of the weights but is rated near the top of this field. He needs to concede experience all round but he was an excellent winner of a very handicap at Newmarket and is clearly on the upgrade. Further improvement is almost a given and it is hard not to see him making a decent effort of being in touch at the business end of proceedings.
15:40 Darley Yorkshire Oaks
The main race of the day and it is an open affair. Covert Love is at the head of the market understandably so. She was the excellent winner of the Irish Oaks beating both Jack Naylor and Curvy on similar ground to today's, and there's no obvious reason for them to reverse placings.
Lady of Dubai wasn't far behind yesterday's Juddmonte winner Arabian Queen in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, and that was after being hampered when poised to challenge. She ran a creditable third behind Qualify and Legatissimo in the English Oaks and I am certain one and a half miles is her trip. In light of this I think he is a fantastic value each way bet at 8/1.
16:20 EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes
A Fillies Listed Stakes and the one that interests me is the John Gosden trained Bright Approach. Really lightly raced for a four year old, she made her comeback after more than a year off in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and she should come on a huge amount for that. Out of New Approach this trip appears optimum and although it's taking a chance, at the price of of 12/1 it's definitely a chance worth taking.
16:55 Eventmasters 30 Years Of Hospitality Expertise EBF Stallions Fillies' Handicap
Roger Varian saddles the lightly raced Spangled and it looks a straight fight between her and the Charlie Appleby Mistrusting. Mistrusting was a brilliant winner of a good handicap at Newmarket but has to carry an extra six pounds because of that, and I think that may make the difference here. Spangled won a strong looking handicap at Newmarket and has the look of a horse that has plenty more to come.
13:55 Tasleet - 1 point @ 2/1 (Coral)
14:30 Lumiere - 1 point @ 15/8 (PaddyPower)
15:05 Western Reserve - 1 point each way @ 8/1
15:40 Lady Of Dubai - 1 point each way @ 8/1 (PaddyPower)
16:20 Bright Approach - 1/2 a point each way @ 12/1
16:55 Spangled - 1 point win @ 7/2